What is a manufactory? Manufactory yesterday and today

What is a manufactory? In the classical sense, manufactory is a form of industrial production that precedes the formation of a large machine industry. However, the term "manufactory" is multi-valued. It is used to determine the specific stage of development of capitalist production and the type of capitalist enterprise. Often manufactory is called textile factory products, decorated by machine. For the designation of various kinds of handicraft establishments, factories, especially textile and weaving, the word "manufactory" also sounds.

Manufacture is, first of all, manual production. This is evidenced by the very term "manufactura", formed by the fusion of two Latin words: "manus" - "hand" and "factura" - "fabrication." The use of manual labor is one of the main features distinguishing the manufactory from factories and plants, the work on which is based on machine and conveyor production.

In order to clarify the question "what is a manufactory", first of all, one should turn to the history of its occurrence. Its predecessors were antique ergasteries (workshops), medieval wandering artels, craft workshops and their associations (workshops). By the end of the classical Middle Ages, shops that regulated craft production, established rules, distributed orders and controlled the quality of products, ceased to correspond to the realities of the era. To create a more complete picture of what a manufactory is, it is important to pay attention to the prerequisites for its occurrence. The need for large-scale production appeared in the era when handicrafts and trade grew, geographical discoveries were made, and a market for mass production was formed. Thus, during the period of the absolutization of royal power in France (17th century), there was a growing need for the production of expensive items designed to satisfy the nobility's requests. Large manufactures, manufactories, appearing in large quantities in the ducal households, produced furniture, tapestries, dishes, jewelry, playing cards and other luxuries.

The very first manufactory in Europe is considered porcelain factory, founded in 1710 in the castle of Albrechtsburg (Meissen). Later, enterprises for the craft production of various products appeared in many European cities.

What is a manufacture, in Russia knew in the XVII century. At that time, there were state (palace) and merchant workshops, which had separate features of manufactory production. Significant growth of manufactory production was observed under Peter I. In the late 18th - early 19th centuries, enterprises of this type were created, many of which successfully function today. For example, the oldest textile company in Moscow OAO "Three-story Manufactory."

Manufacture is not only a stage in the development of modern industrial production. The quality of products made by craftsmen far exceeds the quality of factory products. Truly invaluable is the role of manufactory production in preserving artistic traditions in decorative and applied art, as the manufacture of unique products is carried out today by the hands of craftsmen.